BoxRec

Controversial wrote: ↑14 Nov 2025, 07:18 Following on from this it makes you wonder why some fighters retire multiple times and then make comebacks, is it because there is no testing when they are retired.

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑14 Nov 2025, 07:37 Ex-world champion Parker fails drugs test for cocaine

Former world heavyweight champion Joseph Parker is facing a possible ban from boxing after testing positive for cocaine.

The 33-year-old New Zealander failed a drugs test on the day of his fight with Fabio Wardley on 26 October, according to the Sun., external

He was tested by the Voluntary Anti Doping Agency (Vada) on 25 October.

Sources have confirmed to BBC Sport Parker tested positive for the recreational drug and not performance enhancing drugs.

Parker could receive a two-year ban but could also be suspended for as little as three months depending on circumstances.

Any ban would be handed down by UK Anti-Doping (Ukad) and the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBC).

Ukad, however, did not administer this test and will need to conduct their own investigation.

Queensberry have been informed by Vada about the failed test.

The BBC has contacted Vada, Parker's promoters Queensberry and the BBBC for comment.

Boxer Liam Cameron was given a four-year ban in 2019 for testing positive for benzoylecgonine, a metabolic acid of cocaine, but rules have changed since then with Rugby League player Adam Rusling getting a three-month ban in 2024 for testing positive for cocaine and MDMA.

Parker was hoping to put himself in position for a shot at undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk but was upset by British fighter Wardley at the O2 Arena.

Parker was heavyweight champion between 2016 and 2018, with his reign ended by Britain's Anthony Joshua in Cardiff.

Nightmare Roy wrote: ↑14 Nov 2025, 07:21 If he's got involved in all that he's a proper doughnut, must have made millions from boxing

Cyclops wrote: ↑14 Nov 2025, 07:43

Nightmare Roy wrote: ↑14 Nov 2025, 07:21 If he's got involved in all that he's a proper doughnut, must have made millions from boxing

It says 2017, to be fair to him. That's before he fought Joshua and so before he really made millions. And long before Saudi money.

Cyclops wrote: ↑14 Nov 2025, 07:38

Controversial wrote: ↑14 Nov 2025, 07:18 Following on from this it makes you wonder why some fighters retire multiple times and then make comebacks, is it because there is no testing when they are retired.

I think there's been speculation around that one for a while. Floyd's retirements, some suggested, were to allow him time away from testing to juice; Fury's numerous retirements mean that he is no longer subject to testing and could theoretically snort as many kilos of un-castrated boar testicles as he liked and then allow his system to clear before un-retiring to fight again.

Whether any of it is true or not we don't know, but it makes sense.

Stevieaber wrote: ↑14 Nov 2025, 08:53 It’ll be interesting to see if the board will stick a 4 year ban on Parker, like they did to Liam Cameron. I won’t hold my breath though

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑14 Nov 2025, 06:49

Cyclops wrote: ↑14 Nov 2025, 06:47

joshj909 wrote: ↑14 Nov 2025, 06:11

I think there was a weird accusation that he was involved with major drug smugglers I think back in new Zealand. He's also one of Dr Uz's clients which, alongside his new physique, is usually an indication he's been using PEDs.

News to me, as Parker always seems squeaky clean, but interesting reading.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/ ... -by-police

yh i remember this few years ago.

Taansend wrote: ↑14 Nov 2025, 14:28 If you asked me to write a list of ten boxers that wouldn't test positive for Cocaine, Parker would be high (pardon the pun) on that list.

KiwiRider wrote: ↑14 Nov 2025, 13:20

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑14 Nov 2025, 06:49

Cyclops wrote: ↑14 Nov 2025, 06:47

News to me, as Parker always seems squeaky clean, but interesting reading.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/ ... -by-police

yh i remember this few years ago.

I think his celebrity or money got him clear of that one.
So much for his career. A two year ban at his age spells the end of his form, if the Wardley fight already hasn't.

gilgamesh wrote: ↑14 Nov 2025, 14:40 I seriously doubt that Parker would've done cocaine in the immediate build up to a big fight. Nothing like that ever before in his career, and he's gonna do it now? Doesn't really make sense.